The Sea Devil's Eye - Mel Odom [131]
"Of course, Prince Mirol."
Tu'uua'col turned to watch the battle as the koalinth continued to retreat before the savagery of the ixitxachitl. If Myth Nan tar rose again, as was alluded to in some of the legends, the Dukars would also rise once more.
Nine days later, Pacys stood close to the Great Barrier. Senior High Mage Reefglamor and the other High Mages of Sylkiir stood there with the others who agreed to the Nantarn Alliance. After nearly a tenday of hammering out the details, the old bard knew them all. While they'd bickered and argued among themselves, he'd written, adding their songs to the epic that came so readily now to his lips.
The Taker's army had been turned at Naulys, leaving the city intact, though Voalidru was still heavily occupied at the moment. Scouts had also determined that Iakhovas was pulling together reserves from the sahuagin raiding parties and guiding even more of the drowned ones that continued the occupation of the Whamite Isles.
With arms as thick as oak trees crossed over his huge chest, Qos faced the Great Barrier beside the old bard. When he'd first put in his appearance there had been many who had known him.
"Know you this," Qos said in his booming voice, "as we begin this alliance. If any of you who represent your nations and people are not truthful, the Great Barrier will know and it will not open. Only the true interest of saving all of Seros, of seeing Seros once again healthy and whole, will allow the barrier to unlock the City of Destinies."
The faces on the other side of the Great Barrier regarded him solemnly.
"Myth Nantar holds her secrets jealously these days," Qos went on. "She has been betrayed, the ideals she was founded on corrupted. Blood of those who were to make this city their home has run in her streets and scarred the mythal that surrounds it. The Weave will have to be honored and respected for now and for always." He paused. "Else we may lose great Myth Nantar forever."
The rulers and representatives of the world below, the High Mages, and Khlinat all stared through the barrier.
"We will begin," Qos said. "Step forward, place your hand against the Great Barrier, and speak your name."
The crowd hesitated for a moment, then Reefglamor strode forward and pushed his hand to the invisible wall.
"I am Senior High Mage Taranath Reefglamor of Syl-kiir, and I am here to see that the City of Destinies is reopened."
Pacys closed his eyes, listening to the vibration the sea elf's voice started within the Great Barrier. The other High Mages followed suit and Pacys listened intently to the changes in the vibration.
"Princess Arina of Eadraal."
"Prince Mirol of Eadraal."
"Tribune Akkys of Vuuvax."
The triton Akkys stood aloof, as all his kind did. He was slightly built compared to the mermen, but everyone in Seros knew not to judge the tritons lightly. They were savage fighters. He wore his shoulder-length blue hair tied back and carried a tapal, the signature weapon of his race, which curved in the middle like a fishhook and seemed to be made of all sharp edges.
Pacys knew that the Vuuvax was of the avenging protectorate within the triton race. His people had undertaken the job of bringing the Great Whale Bard's killer to justice. The triton slapped the Great Barrier forcefully, changing the pitch of the vibration.
"Dukar Gayar," a thin voice said, "Grand Savant of the Third Order and Paragon of the Kupavi Order."
The morkoth had been a surprise but Qos had vouched for him. His touch was soft, hardly changing the vibration at all.
"Lashyrr Maerdrymrn, Grand Savant of the First Order and Paragon of the Numosi Order."
Pacys recognized her as a baelnorn, a once-dead elf returned to life as a guardian for others. Her body had transformed into living pearl upon her acceptance of her destiny. She was pale blue and ivory, and could have been mistaken for an elegant statue. Her hand slapped flatly against the barrier, changing the vibration's pitch